Amstelveen, Netherlands: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team opened their FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 campaign with a 2-2 draw against 2024 Olympic silver medallists China at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Sunday.
Navneet and Deepika scored for India, who twice took the lead before China fought back through Ying Zhang and Ma Ning. The result left India and China level on points in Pool D after the opening round of matches.
India made an attacking start and kept China under pressure with sustained possession. Lalremsiami was involved in several early moves and won the first penalty corner after drawing a foul inside the circle. Navneet took the set piece, but the Chinese defence dealt with her powerful hit.
India’s pressure brought the opening goal in the eighth minute. Neha sent the ball into the circle from outside the D and Navneet supplied the final touch to put India 1-0 ahead.
China gradually found their way into the game. Li Hong sent a dangerous ball into the circle that took a deflection off an Indian stick before China were awarded a penalty stroke in the 14th minute following a foul inside the circle.
India referred the decision, but the original call stood. Ying Zhang converted the stroke, wrong-footing Savita to make it 1-1.
Deepika restores India’s lead
India responded well after conceding and began the second quarter strongly. Shilpi made an important defensive intervention to block a Chinese attempt inside the circle.
At the other end, Navneet continued to trouble China’s defence and won another penalty corner after getting beyond the first line.
Deepika then produced a fine individual run in the 24th minute. She dribbled into the circle and reached the baseline before drawing a foul to earn India another penalty corner.
She took the resulting set piece herself and fired a powerful drag-flick into the net in the 25th minute, restoring India’s lead at 2-1.
India carried that advantage into half-time after creating several chances during an energetic first half.
China hit back after half-time
China increased the pressure after the interval and began pressing higher up the pitch. Savita was forced into an early save in the third quarter after a deflection caused danger in front of goal.
China eventually drew level in the 39th minute after earning a penalty corner. Ma Ning beat the Indian defence with a drag-flick to make it 2-2.
The Olympic silver medallists continued to control possession and territory for much of the third quarter. They won another penalty corner soon afterwards, but Savita made a sharp low save to keep the scores level.
India had to defend deep as China maintained their high press, but the defence held firm through the remainder of the quarter.
China continued searching for the winner in the final quarter, while India tried to regain control and find openings on the counter.
India created a promising chance in the 52nd minute when Navneet’s cutback found Lalremsiami inside the circle, but the Chinese defence crowded her out before she could finish.
China earned another penalty corner in the 57th minute. The initial drag-flick took a deflection and bounced around inside the circle before another penalty corner was awarded, but India defended the situation successfully.
Neither side managed to find a winning goal in the closing minutes, leaving them to share the points.
India face South Africa next
Following the opening round of Pool D matches, England sit top of the standings after their 4-0 win over South Africa. India and China are level on points in second place, while South Africa occupy fourth position.
India will next face South Africa on 18 August as they look for their first victory of the tournament.
Before that, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team will take on England in their second World Cup match on 17 August.
